‘Need more funds from India for fight against HIV’

NEW DELHI - A global agency has sought more money from India for antiretroviral treatment of HIV patients across the world.

“We are looking at India from the perspective of donor as well as recipient of funds. Representatives from global funds have also met officials from the finance ministry,” Michel Kazatchkine, executive director of Global Fund, said Thursday.

“Considering that India is a leading member of the G-20 nations, it can be an effective donor among the emerging economies,” Kazatchkine added.

“We have had a long association with the Global Fund. NACO has been working in close collaboration with the international funding agency,” said K. Chandramouli, director general of the National AIDS Control Organisation.

An estimated 2.5 million people in India are HIV positive.